Ina Garten's Tip For Choosing Cheeses And Her Absolute Favorite Shop

What to do with the cheese

The Barefoot Contessa's shopping excursion in Paris showcases some of the dishes she is famous for serving at her dinner parties, regardless of her location. While cheese boards are typically enjoyed after dinner in France, Ina Garten prefers to present cheese platters as an appetizer, as they constitute a full course of the meal—yet remain uncomplicated and "elegant," as she mentioned in a Food Network article.

When assembling a cheese platter, she begins by laying fresh fig leaves on the board. If fig leaves are unavailable, the Contessa recommends using hydrangea leaves instead. These leaves serve as a beautiful base for arranging various cheeses and accompaniments. Although she carefully selects three cheeses with complementary flavors, they are not the centerpiece of the platter; instead, large bunches of grapes take that spot.

The cheeses, accompanied by crackers and a variety of dried fruits (such as apricots or figs), surround the grapes to complete the cheese platter. The Barefoot Contessa advocates for a "less is more" approach when creating a cheese display. She often reminds herself to keep it simple and, crucially, to refrain from adding too many items that could overwhelm the presentation.

Ina Garten's cheese suggestions

Ina Garten frequently selects a variety of cheeses for her charcuterie and cheese plates, typically including a goat cheese, a soft cheese, and a sharp cheese, though the specific types may differ. On her website, she showcases particular cheeses that often feature on her boards. For the sharp cheese, she opts for Cabot cheddar, while Mount Tam serves as a soft cheese she enjoys. In some instances, the goat cheese can also fulfill the role of a creamy cheese, especially in her beloved fig and goat cheese toasts. Another soft cheese she incorporates is Brie, and she often includes Stilton, a sharp blue cheese from England, on her platters as well. Occasionally, she might choose Pecorino with truffles as an option. When arranging her cheese board, Garten places the cheeses with their rinds facing inward for a more appealing presentation.

Moreover, she skillfully utilizes her cheeses, whether on the cheese board or as part of other appetizers. Some of her favorite cheesy appetizers include goat cheese toasts and marinated herbed feta, as noted by Today. Overall, her cheese shopping excursions in Paris yield great results, and it’s clear why a leisurely walk through the City of Light, with a visit to Barthélémy, is one of her favorite ways to curate an impressive cheese board for a dinner party.